Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => Collector's Corner => Topic started by: WEBellSystemChristian on October 13, 2015, 03:17:50 PM

Title: B1 with #2 Dial from Ebay!
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on October 13, 2015, 03:17:50 PM
I just won this beauty for the opening bid of $99 on Ebay!

A nice dial B1 has been on my wishlist for a long time, and I finally found one!!!

I think the attention was drawn away by the lack of pictures; there were only 2 that I could determine what I have. The side of the dial isn't shown, but you can see the edges of the outside-mounted finger stop in the 1st and 2nd auction pictures. Hopefully the dial plate is notchless too! I also hope it has a bullet transmitter, but I can't tell from the auction pictures.

Pretty happy guy today!!!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121780355334
Title: Re: B1 with #2 Dial from Ebay!
Post by: wds on October 13, 2015, 03:24:11 PM
Nice one.  I didn't even see that auction.  The last picture is interesting - looking up at the underside of the fingerwheel, it almost looks like an AE fingerwheel, not a WE.  The other pictures clearly show a WE fingerwheel - odd.
Title: Re: B1 with #2 Dial from Ebay!
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on October 13, 2015, 03:29:47 PM
Quote from: wds on October 13, 2015, 03:24:11 PM
Nice one.  I didn't even see that auction.  The last picture is interesting - looking up at the underside of the fingerwheel, it almost looks like an AE fingerwheel, not a WE.  The other pictures clearly show a WE fingerwheel - odd.
Hmm, that is interesting. It's probably just the lighting playing tricks on your eyes. The seller really should have used a better camera, in daylight, and without a color filter!!
Title: Re: B1 with #2 Dial from Ebay!
Post by: wds on October 13, 2015, 03:43:38 PM
Yes, probably shadows.  Also, don't see the usual patent dates on the side of the dial. 
Title: Re: B1 with #2 Dial from Ebay!
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on October 13, 2015, 03:45:31 PM
Quote from: wds on October 13, 2015, 03:43:38 PM
Yes, probably shadows.  Also, don't see the usual patent dates on the side of the dial. 

I think the illusion could be because of the black paint that's still on the back on the fingerwheel. The front is stripped brass, which I'll have to correct... :)

Weren't the patent dates usually only found on the earlier #2s? I thought that a lot of the later versions didn't have those dates on the casing.
Title: Re: B1 with #2 Dial from Ebay!
Post by: Doug Rose on October 13, 2015, 07:53:09 PM
Seller got back to me ...after the auction ended....2HB...this was a steal!!!...Doug
Title: Re: B1 with #2 Dial from Ebay!
Post by: unbeldi on October 13, 2015, 08:20:24 PM
Well,  it is a 2HA now.
Title: Re: B1 with #2 Dial from Ebay!
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on October 13, 2015, 08:38:38 PM
I'm sorry, Doug, that's just hilarious! That happens to me all the time!! I ask a question about an item, and the seller responds after the auction is done, and finishes the message with; "hope this helps"!  >:(

So, 2HAs were strictly designated for cradle desk stand (B1) use? Do you think it was installed during a refurb?

Although the shipping says "Parcel Select" for this phone, the seller is actually shipping it via Priority Mail, so it should get here several days faster and less likely to be damaged.


Title: Re: B1 with #2 Dial from Ebay!
Post by: poplar1 on October 13, 2015, 08:52:38 PM
2H-type dials were also used on 101s/201s (C1 handset mountings).

"2H-Type" includes 2HA, 2HB, etc. Most do not have patent dates on the rim.
Title: Re: B1 with #2 Dial from Ebay!
Post by: unbeldi on October 13, 2015, 08:56:09 PM
.
Title: Re: B1 with #2 Dial from Ebay!
Post by: Sargeguy on October 13, 2015, 09:10:08 PM
They do make repro fingerstops.
Title: Re: B1 with #2 Dial from Ebay!
Post by: Doug Rose on October 14, 2015, 06:21:45 PM
Christian....I am very happy for you, I think you got a deal. I'm glad it went to a good home, I was just going to resell it. Real nice phone!....Doug
Title: Re: B1 with #2 Dial from Ebay!
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on October 14, 2015, 06:53:03 PM
Quote from: Doug Rose on October 14, 2015, 06:21:45 PM
Christian....I am very happy for you, I think you got a deal. I'm glad it went to a good home, I was just going to resell it. Real nice phone!....Doug
Thanks Doug! Even if you resold it, it would have probably gone to a better home than the woman who sold it to me, she used it for decor at one point. At least she didn't have a lamp inspiration! :o
Title: Re: B1 with #2 Dial from Ebay!
Post by: Greg G. on October 14, 2015, 10:43:32 PM
"Like"!
Title: Re: B1 with #2 Dial from Ebay!
Post by: wds on October 23, 2015, 03:40:27 PM
did the phone ever arrive?  Can you post some pictures of the items in question?
Title: Re: B1 with #2 Dial from Ebay!
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on October 23, 2015, 03:54:36 PM
Quote from: wds on October 23, 2015, 03:40:27 PM
did the phone ever arrive?  Can you post some pictures of the items in question?
Photos will come in about an hour. I had to order a couple parts, which came in the mail today, but it's done otherwise. I'll explain everything when I get the pictures up. :)
Title: Re: B1 with #2 Dial from Ebay!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on October 23, 2015, 04:30:56 PM
If anyone is in the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek area and is looking for a B1 with #2 dial and a 584/684 subset, they might want to check out the one that I saw last week at the Corner Station Antique Mall in Galesburg.  It was marked $176 which is probably not a terrible price.  They would probably give a 10% discount if asked.

Larry
Title: Re: B1 with #2 Dial from Ebay!
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on October 23, 2015, 06:23:47 PM
When it arrived last week, I was so excited to see that almost everything I had hoped for came true! The dial was a 2HB that was converted to an HA, the dial card was original, the dial plate was notchless, the handset was completely seamless, and the paint was in great shape!

As I started inspecting it, I became disappointed in what the former owner did to modify it! They hammered the edges of the original brass fingerwheel down, and bent the original fingerstop up, and the fingerstop was also bent inward! >:( It literally took me about 3 hours to straighten the fingerwheel and fingerstop back to original shape!

I noticed the inside of the dial card retainer was more silver than brass while I was preparing to repaint it, and then it hit me; it's nickel!!! I stripped the paint down, and now I have a beautiful nickel retainer!!

The transmitter element was an F1 style, so I tried disassembling the handset to get it out. Of all things, the one part that wouldn't budge was the spitcup. My dad and I worked for couple days with the process of WD40, heat, strap wrench, repeat, and it still wouldn't budge. We eventually made an E1 cap removal tool, and after an hour of using it with the strap wrench, the seamless cap shattered! :'( Fortunately, it broke where there were already spiderwebbed cracks, and I found another seamless cap online (this one is flawless) along with a bullet transmitter and now have them on the phone!

All I need now are a couple cords and a new felt base. (stopping by Hobby Lobby later to get some felt) The base from my other B1 is standing in for the picture.
I polished the handset with black shoe polish, and the base with Auto Compound, and it finally looks classy! :)
Title: Re: B1 with #2 Dial from Ebay!
Post by: wds on October 23, 2015, 06:29:00 PM
Very nice.  The nickel card holder is correct for that dial. Beautiful!
Title: Re: B1 with #2 Dial from Ebay!
Post by: HarrySmith on October 24, 2015, 08:44:50 PM
Looks great!
Title: Re: B1 with #2 Dial from Ebay!
Post by: Tech&Music on October 24, 2015, 08:51:39 PM
Very nice compact phone!
Title: Re: B1 with #2 Dial from Ebay!
Post by: Mr. Bones on October 24, 2015, 10:34:58 PM
Sweet telephone, Christian!

You certainly do beautiful, meticulous work!

Best regards, my friend!
Title: Re: B1 with #2 Dial from Ebay!
Post by: Sargeguy on October 29, 2015, 07:48:29 PM
Well at least we know the fingerstop isn't a repro!!!